Conservative Immigration Plan Proposes Longer Wait for Settlement for Foreign Workers
Under new proposals, foreign workers would need to live in the UK for a decade without claiming benefits to qualify for indefinite leave to remain.
The UK government is set to introduce new immigration policies that would require foreign workers to reside in the country for ten years without claiming any form of benefits before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain.
This announcement was made by Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, on Wednesday as part of a broader effort to reform the immigration system, aimed at reducing immigration levels.
Currently, applicants can apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years, provided they have not claimed benefits and meet other criteria such as having a clean criminal record.
Under the proposed changes, the waiting period would extend to ten years, potentially barring many from ever being granted settled status.
Badenoch stated that the proposed policies reflect a commitment to ensuring those seeking permanent residency demonstrate a significant commitment to the UK. She emphasized the need for redefining the immigration landscape in light of the increasing numbers of immigrants and the perceived challenges to integration.
The proposals also stipulate that individuals must not have resided in social housing during their period of residence and must contribute more to the economy in taxes than they receive in public services.
Additionally, only certain asylum seekers from “safe and legal routes,” including those from Afghanistan, Hong Kong, or Ukraine, would be allowed to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Individuals entering the UK illegally or seeking asylum from other regions would be permanently ineligible for settled status.
The Conservatives have committed to introducing a cap on net migration, although the specific figures remain unspecified.
Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, voiced support for a binding annual cap on visa numbers.
The recent surge in support for the Reform UK party, which promotes anti-immigration policies, has raised concerns among both Conservative and Labour party leaders.
A recent YouGov poll indicated that Nigel Farage’s Reform UK held a national lead for the first time, further complicating the political landscape as parties recalibrate their immigration strategies.
These proposals come during a period of significant political change, with Labour having cancelled previous plans by the Conservative government to send asylum seekers to Rwanda and introducing its own borders and immigration bill to enhance law enforcement's power against human trafficking and people smuggling operations.
This announcement was made by Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, on Wednesday as part of a broader effort to reform the immigration system, aimed at reducing immigration levels.
Currently, applicants can apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years, provided they have not claimed benefits and meet other criteria such as having a clean criminal record.
Under the proposed changes, the waiting period would extend to ten years, potentially barring many from ever being granted settled status.
Badenoch stated that the proposed policies reflect a commitment to ensuring those seeking permanent residency demonstrate a significant commitment to the UK. She emphasized the need for redefining the immigration landscape in light of the increasing numbers of immigrants and the perceived challenges to integration.
The proposals also stipulate that individuals must not have resided in social housing during their period of residence and must contribute more to the economy in taxes than they receive in public services.
Additionally, only certain asylum seekers from “safe and legal routes,” including those from Afghanistan, Hong Kong, or Ukraine, would be allowed to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Individuals entering the UK illegally or seeking asylum from other regions would be permanently ineligible for settled status.
The Conservatives have committed to introducing a cap on net migration, although the specific figures remain unspecified.
Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, voiced support for a binding annual cap on visa numbers.
The recent surge in support for the Reform UK party, which promotes anti-immigration policies, has raised concerns among both Conservative and Labour party leaders.
A recent YouGov poll indicated that Nigel Farage’s Reform UK held a national lead for the first time, further complicating the political landscape as parties recalibrate their immigration strategies.
These proposals come during a period of significant political change, with Labour having cancelled previous plans by the Conservative government to send asylum seekers to Rwanda and introducing its own borders and immigration bill to enhance law enforcement's power against human trafficking and people smuggling operations.
